Diaphragm-horn.



M. R. HUTCHISON.

DIAPHRAGM HORN.

APPLICATION men MAYH. isn,

Patented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. nw/E/vm MMW By "WWW/Mr WITNESSES:

Patented J uly 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. R. HUTCHISON.

DIAPHRAGM HORN. APPLICATION FILED MAYH, 1911. 1,189,952.

W Y l/VVE/VTOR 7 BY M MFA/5V WITNESSES:

it' ea It A MILLER REESE HUTCHISON, 0F ill/EST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.ASSIG-NOR T0 LOWELL- MCGOIQNELL IEANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATKOIEGTE DELELWARE.

DIAPHRAGIvE-HC'RN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 9} uly 4-. till 6.

Application filed May 11, 1911. Serial Ho. 626,491.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1', MILLER Russia Herrmsos,a citizen of the United States, and resident of Vest Orange, in thecounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have in vented certain new anduseful Improvements in Diaphragln-Horns, or which tne following is aspecification.

This invention relates to alarm or signaiing apparatus, and especiallyto devices capable of producing a loud, imperative note of considerablecarrying power, and therefore excellently adapted for use on antomobilesand other vehicles, boats, factories, and elsewhere.

In the present invention I produce a Signaling device characterized bythe employment of a flexible, endless actuator, provided withprojections forming a suitable uneven actuating surface or face. Thisendless actuator may be an articulated chain. It is preferably driven bypower means, and preferably by an electric motor; and in the typicalinstance it passes around a drum or sprocket on the armature or driveshaft and around an idler, and performs its work to actuate thediaphragm at a point between the drive and the idler. The endlessactuator may be driven positively or otherva'ise. The positive drivewill, generally sp *ahing, give a more powerful signal. T he actuatingprojections or cani teeth may be friction-reducing elements, such as therollers of a roller-bearing chain. The actuation of the diaphragm orother part by the projections may be either positive or by virtue of centril'ugitl action. In the first instance it is preferred to support theflexible actuator opposite the region of engagement by a station aryrigid backing. In the other instance the endless actuator may be of suchlength as to be flung outward between its driving and idle supports sothat its projections in tercept and strike the (llil1)i'llzllllwear-piece or other complementary member. This last construction enablesthe actuator to yield in a desirable manner in the event of interfcrence between the diaphragm and an actuating projection.

Having thus briefly described. my invention I now proceed to aparticulai' description of certain of the possible embodiments thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a. view partly in longitudinal sound-emitting opening 5therein.

partly in elevation of one form 1 he signaling device, and Fl 2 is asiinilar view of another form.

In the views, the numeral 1 indicates a suitable resonatorprojector, and2 a diaphragm, it being? understood that the resonator is preferably soproportiored as to be synchronous with the natural ora prominentfrequency of the diaphragm. The diaphragiu is preferably held in asuitable case, consisting of a front section 3 and a rear section -l-.The base of the resonator is seure'd to the front section in line withthe The diaphragm is iirel erably clamped in place at its nurgins byclamping portions 6, 7 of the case sections and cork washers or theclamping bolts or screws 10 passthr ugh registering openings in thesection and The endless, flexible actuator is illustrated prefer to usea diaphragm held around its margins and vibrating its internal area, itshould he understood that I am not limited in all the aspects of theinvention to such -form oi vibratory sounding element.

In Fig. 1 1 have illustrated a signal in which the diaphragm or the likeis actuated by projections in the nature ofrollers l7. ..-'intifrictionactuating devices of this or similar character possess certainadvantages which render them desirable in various forms of signalingdevices. Obviously wear may be considerably reduced, and in addition thetone may beipurified because the sliding of metal on metal is eliminatedand a rolling: contact substituted. 1 have shown these rolling membersmounted on a sprocket chain ll", but the carrier or actuator may be ofany suitable kind. Where they are mounted on an endless actuator, thewheels 13' and i l" will be suitably formed to corr spond therewith. Itwill be understood that these roller projections are rotatable about thepivot pins 26 connecting the links of the chain and that they of suchdiameter as M6 to project beyond the outer side of the chain intoengaging relation with the wear-piece '12 or other tlu'ust-receivingpart. In this instance the backing member 20" is preferably also anantifriction device. For purposes of illustration 1 have shown it as aroller whose shaft or journals are mounted in a suitable support 30. Thebearings therein may be slotted and a backing screw or screws 91 maypermit of adjustment.

Fig. 2 is illustrative of an assemblage in which the endless actuatoroperates the diaphragm by virtue of centrifugal force. The actuator 11may be positioned swthat if drawn straight between the supports, itwouhl not intersect the thrust-receiving part or anvil, such as 12,centrifugal force being relied on to bring the members into actuatingrelation. The action of centrifugal force may be best availed of whenthe actuator and its pro'aztions have considerable weight and inertia,when the rotary sup ports 13 and .H" are comparatively close together,and when the chain is comparatively loose so as to afford some slackbetween the supports. Such a signal will operate with fair efficiencywithout a backing member for the working course of the actuator, andwill yield a lvantageously to neutralize the eii'ect of any interferencethat may occur. Fu thermore, the sound wiil be softened because thediaphragm is actuated in a yielding manner, such softened tone beingdesirable for certain purposes. The softening and purifying of the soundis increased by the use of rolling projections 17", which may form.

I claim: 7

1. In an alarm or signaling device, a diaphragm, and. mechanical meansfor actuating the same including an endless flexible actuator androlling actuating devices can.

ried thereby. I

2. in an alarm or signaling device, the combination of a diaphragm, anendless tieX- ible actuator provided with rolling actuating projections,and a thrust-receiving member adapted to be contacted by saidprojections to produce the vibration of the diaphragm.

3. In an alarm or signaling device, a diaphragm, an endless iiexibieactuator pro vided with rolling projections for causing the diaphragm tovibrate, and a rolling backing member for holding the actuator to itswork.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, and State of NewYork, this fi th day of May, A, i). 1911.

than non'r, ijZIOWN.

he like those of the preceding 1

